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“Currently, we have helped 44 people from Syria to settle in Cheshire East and now, over the next few years, we will be helping asylum seekers settle into the area.

“We will be splitting them up across the borough because we have found that has meant they integrate better in the local community. The first to arrive are now finding their feet and have moved on to the second stage by looking for jobs.”

Councillor Paul Bates, cabinet member for finance and communities.

Mr Bates, a ward representative for Congleton West, says the authority has learnt from resettling Syrian families and will use this scheme when helping asylum seekers in the future.

In a report to the council’s cabinet, Linda Couchman, acting strategic director for adults, communities and health, explains the families have settled in ‘smoothly’.

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She said: “The work that has been done in preparation for the families arriving has been phenomenal in terms of the commitment from council staff, partner agencies and the local community, in particular the faith community.

“All five families have settled in smoothly, with a welcoming and supportive local community response. All relevant issues regarding health, social care, education, housing and benefits have been resolved.”

Ms Couchman reports that one family has submitted a request to bring over their adult children, who remained in war-torn Syria after their relatives had moved to the UK.

Cheshire East Council is to welcome asylum seekers into the borough.

The authority's decision to extend the scheme to all asylum seekers came after Home Office officials wrote to Cheshire East to say it was the only council in the North West not to be part of the scheme.

Crewe has already been earmarked as a ‘primary location’ for rehousing asylum seekers due to the costs involved, although the council said work would be needed to address ‘community tensions’.